825.5151/315: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile ( Philip )

30. Your 40, May 16, 1 p.m., and 45, May 18, 6 p.m. The Department will discuss this situation with the Chilean Ambassador and instruct the Embassy further as soon as such an interview shall have taken place.

The Department would deeply regret the proposed action of the Chilean Government of making definitive the restrictions on the importation of automobiles and radios. It considers that the effect would be discriminatory to American trade. Furthermore, the Department feels that the contemplated imposition of prohibitive duties on certain types of automobiles and radios would constitute a distinct regression from the present tendency towards stabilizing or even lowering tariff barriers. Such a step would be particularly unfortunate on the eve of the approaching Pan American Peace Conference.38

At your discretion you are authorized to express the Department’s views to the Chilean Government when an appropriate occasion presents itself.

Hull
  1. See pp. 3 ff.